Seasonal variation in the prevalence and intensity of canine <i>Gnathostoma spinigerum</i> infection in northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Gnathostoma spinigerum was found in gastric nodules in 4.1% of 2940 dogs surveyed in northeastern Thailand. The prevalence and worm burden of G. spinigerum exhibited a seasonal fluctuation. The parasites were more abundant in the rainy season and the early winter (August-December) than in the summer (April-March). Most parasites were sexually mature between August and December while immature worms were observed during March and April. The distribution of gnathostomes within the sampled dogs was highly dispersed and few animals were found to harbour more than five worms.